Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) is openly tussling with animal rights group PETA, which is calling for Punxsutawney Phil — the famous marmot used in an annual Groundhog Day tradition to forecast the start of spring — to be replaced with a vegan cake.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is stepping in to defend Punxsutawney Phil after PETA called to replace the beloved animal—and Groundhog Day icon—with a vegan cake. Last week, the group wrote to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club and asked that Phil be retired from his high-stakes gig—if he sees his shadow upon leaving his burrow,

If the vegan cake has a blue interior when it's cut, it would mean six more weeks of winter. Pink would signal an early spring.

PETA has suggested that Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog who predicts whether winter will go on for six more weeks or spring will arrive early, should be replaced with a vegan 'weather reveal' cake on Groundhog Day.

Gov. Josh Shapiro was quick to shut down PETA’s offer to replace Groundhog Day with a vegan cake. “Come and take it,” the Pennsylvania governor quipped Friday morning after the animal rights group suggested rebranding the annual Punxsutawney festival.